Do you ever have those moments where you realize time is flying by so quickly? You blink, and 5 or 10 years has passed?
Tonight, I’m having one of those moments. As I sit on a semi sturdy, weathered and worn wooden chair in the backyard, it’s 9pm at night, and I look across the yard at the large house in front of me. The lights are on in all the rooms, it’s full of laughter, full of life, full of people – people that somehow I have ended up being their leader. And that is surreal.
The rain just stopped 30 minutes ago, it’s a crisp 58 degrees, and a few dogs and sirens go off in the distance in the night air. And I sit here and realize, that there’s a house of 10 or so young adults that are living a life surrendered to God, in another country. Some of them are leaders on the World Race, others are living here at the base as Long Term missionaries. Whatever the circumstance, they’re all here seeking to serve the Lord. And for some reason, I find myself again in a position of influence in their lives. Of God entrusting me to steward this ministry, this moment of time.
I feel inadequate at times. Completely lost as what to do or how to do it. And at other times, I know firmly that my giftings, skills, strengths can and will do this job well. In the mix of those two realities, I just sit back and take a moment to recognize a third reality. And that is – life happens. And it happens quickly. And in the blink of an eye, the reality that the past dream or past desire is actually the reality of the present.
Dreams are had, and secret wishes are made. Do you ever have these? I’ve had these since I was a kid. I dreamed that one day I could be smart and strong enough to travel to a foreign country, even on my own. I dreamed that I could have something to offer, of God’s wisdom, to people hurting or broken. I dreamed of having good close friends, being a father, protector and provider, having a big and loving dog, and maybe a home and car to get around. Right now, in Guatemala at this ministry, I have these things in some form or fashion. But the even cooler part, is they’re actually not mine. It’s all God’s! Sure, it would be nice for me to actually own my own home. But until then, God has entrusted us to rent a home here in Guatemala to be a ministry house. We have a dog (owned, not rented:), Misha, who I’ve adopted as my own. And every few weeks we get a house full of fun loving crazy young adults on their journeys of serving God.
So in the mix of the valleys and mountain tops of life, the stresses of daily loads and burdens, and the realization of dreams come true and those yet still yearned for – looking at a house full of life tonight, I thank the Lord. That for this moment in time, He still gives little glimpses that He’s alive and well. In the present, not just in the past, and in the hope of the future. But that hope remains now, even in the shadows of death and difficulties. There’s joy, there’s laughter, and there is family happening. Time fly’s, yes. But this moment in time is not to be flown by.
Where are there glimpses of God’s life, goodness, and faithfulness in your life right now?
If it’s hard to see, do you need hope to be restored, and a glimpse of God’s goodness? It’s okay to ask Him for these. Life is too hard without them. I need them daily. I hope God reveals to us all His love especially when it’s most needed.
Thank you for being a part of my life, in the ups and downs, and supporting this season of work. One where I get to sit back and look at some fruit of the labor, and simply smile up to heaven and nod my head at God and say, “Thank You.”
Bendiciones!
From Guatemala, Noe
